Naturalist and Visitor Center Docent

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Reno, NV

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Great Basin Institute (GBI) as a key team member at the Galena Creek Visitor Center (GCVC), serving the Reno/Tahoe community and tourists globally. This role focuses on providing STEM education and outdoor experiences for local youth. Responsibilities include planning and teaching environmental science programs, managing educational camps and field trips, overseeing visitor center operations, and administrative tasks. The schedule for this position is variable and is contingent upon camp activities and programming needs. Day and overnight camps operate Monday through Friday; members may be required to serve 9-10 hours of service per day to complete camp duties. Additionally, members are expected to serve at the Galena Creek Visitor Center 1 to 3 days per week, which may include weekends. During the overnight summer camp sessions, a minimum of two nights per week will be spent with campers. Members will also be required to serve during community program events as assigned. Members will serve in the Galena Creek Recreation Area, based out of the Galena Creek Visitor Center located at 18250 Mt. Rose Hwy, Reno, NV 89511. This position includes a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. The majority of camp activities will be conducted outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. High desert, forest, river, wetland, mountain, and rangeland ecosystems can all be found within the recreation area. Curriculum planning, fundraising, scheduling, and other related support activities will be conducted indoors in an office setting. This position involves ongoing interaction with vulnerable population (children) and at-risk youth. These positions do not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in work force, or an employee who is on leave.

Requirements

• High School Diploma/equivalent or GED
• Meet AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship, or U.S. national or legal resident alien status, (2) at least 18 years of age (3) High School Diploma or GED certificate (4) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime, or equivalent of two full-time terms of service), and (5) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and federal criminal background checks.
• Valid Drivers License
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in customer service
• Strong understanding of prioritization and excellent organizational skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Enthusiasm and commitment to youth outdoor education
• Self-motivated, able to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments
• work in all types of weather conditions, and otherwise maintain good physical condition
• Comfortable working a varied schedule where some days are longer than 8-hours and some are shorter, keeping in mind overnight camps are a 24-hour on-call situation with the kids
• Able to hike up to 3 miles in a single day

Nice To Haves

• Associates Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree in education, communication, or a natural or Earth science
• Experience working with K-12 age group either through volunteer work or through degree work

Responsibilities

• Manage the registration and logistics for all educational programs, maintaining essential data for reporting purposes.
• Utilize survey tools and interviews to collect feedback and improve future programming.
• Dedicated 2hrs of work on Fire Ecology lessons and curriculum-building, twice a week.
• Lead in maintaining safety standards and high-quality camp experiences.
• Assist with the GCVC information desk, which may include working weekends, providing customer service and maintaining the facility in coordination with the Education Coordinator and Program Manager.
• Assist with planning and teaching at the Great Basin Institute, focusing on the Galena Environmental Science Education Programs.
• Support the execution of various programs including Exploration camps, school field trips (Field Studies), and public events to ensure their success and safety. This encompasses day and overnight camps, public fundraising events, outreach events, and extended field studies.
• Manage Spring, Summer, and Winter Exploration Camps, along with 3-hour standard and 6-hour extended field trips.
• Oversee and maintain the facilities at Galena Creek Park used during camps and field studies. Responsibilities include staying overnight at Camp WeChMe Lodge with summer camp counselors for at least two nights per week.
• Assist with all aspects of the Summer Exploration Camp for children ages 8-13, including curriculum planning, marketing, scheduling, conducting activities, and evaluating program effectiveness.
• Engage in extensive communication with parents/guardians, campers, community partners, and staff.
• Provide training and support to counselors and volunteers, ensuring they are adequately prepared and offering additional training as needed.
• Operate various company vehicles, including automatic 4-wheel drive trucks and a 15-passenger van and a 5-passenger hybrid.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: $575 bi-weekly with housing fully provided
• Segal Education Award: Upon successful completion of service, members will earn an education award of $5,176.50.
• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision insurance, and $25,000 Life/AD&D policy paid 100% by GBI. Eligible to enroll first day of month following first day of service.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility: AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Student Loan Forbearance: Qualified student loans may be placed in deferment or forbearance for the duration of the term. Upon successful completion of the term, all or a portion of the interest accrued on qualified loans in forbearance may be paid by the National Service Trust in addition to the education award.
• Interest Accrual Repayment: As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance.
• Evaluations: Members will receive an end of term performance evaluation, and mid-term evaluation if serving on a reduced half time term of service or higher.
• Training includes but is not limited to First Aid/AED and CPR Training, Mandated Reporter Training, Team Building and Conflict Resolution, Program Planning and Development, Customer/Visitor Services and Community Relations, Drivers Training.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees